Torquay BID Operations Manager

The man who helped revive the fortunes of Edinburgh's shops is hoping to rebuild Torquay's reputation as a shoppers' destination.

Ian Broadfoot, 43, has been appointed as the resort's new town centre manager following the setting up of Torquay's new Business Improvement District.

It is the first time in 10 years that the town has had someone whose sole job it is to improve the performance and attractiveness of its centre and harbour area.

Lucy Ball will continue as chief executive of Torbay Town Centres Company, overseeing further BIDs in other parts of the Bay.

Mr Broadfoot said the challenges facing Torquay were similar to those being tackled in Edinburgh, which included the city losing shoppers to rival Glasgow.

However, the Essential Edinburgh BID brought in £875,000 compared with the £250,000 business levy. Over five years the Torquay BID is expected to generate up to £2million for projects chosen by businesses.

The BID will not build new roads or buildings or fund the large infrastructure projects, but it will ensure the town looks clean, tidy and welcoming, and feels safe and vibrant.

And the priorities earmarked by traders in Torquay were similar to those highlighted in Edinburgh, said Mr Broadfoot, who first set up the BID and then ran the city centre for six years.

He then worked in Australia for an architectural planning and engineering consultancy which was involved in planning city centre retail projects.

Before he and his family went to Australia for more than a year they lived in the South Hams, so he knows Torbay well.

"I am Scottish but I just love it down here and am pleased to be back in the area again," he said.

"Every place has its challenges and they are all different, but I believe it is about attracting back shoppers who have left to shop elsewhere, whether at the Willows or Exeter and Plymouth.

"Having worked for the BID in Edinburgh I know that they can make a difference. Initiatives like the BID are exactly what are needed to turn places around. The five-year business plan is focused on getting funding from both the private and public sectors and to work together on making improvements."

He and his wife and five children have moved back to the South Hams to live.